Davie secures vessel life extension contract from Canadian Coast Guard

Davie has received a contract from the Canadian Government for the vessel life extension (VLE) of Canadian Coast Guard Ship CCGS Earl Grey.

Under the contract, the company will replace and upgrade the vessel’s engines, machinery, equipment and electrical systems.

Davie CEO Alan Bowen said: "This contract represents the third Coast Guard vessel refit programme in the past 12 months as well as the first time the Lorne drydock, our smaller drydock, has been used since the Royal Canadian Navy frigate construction programmes.

"We look forward to developing further programmes with the Government of Canada which help to grow our workforce and sustain Davie’s crucial role in the local economy, while simultaneously providing an affordable and timely service to the federal fleet."

Work under the nine-month life extension programme of the vessel will be carried out at the company’s secondary drydock, the Lorne dock.

Canada Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea said: "Our unprecedented investments to renew the Coast Guard fleet ensure the safety of our Canadian mariners."

The Canadian Coast Guard deploys the CCGS Earl Grey medium endurance multi-tasked vessel to carry out a variety of roles including icebreaking, primarily offshore Prince Edward Island.

Capable of accommodating a crew of 24, the 69.7m-long vessel has a cruising range of 18000nm, endurance of 58 days and can cruise at a top speed of 15k.